1383. Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, 3187–8. Whilom there was, dwelling
in Oxenforde, A rich gnof, that gertes helde to borde.
c. 1547. Song (quoted by Hotten). The country gnoffes, Hob, Dick,
and Hick, With clubbes and clouted shoon, Shall fill up Dussin Dale
With slaughtered bodies soone.
Verb (old).—To wheedle; to cheat; to steal.
Gonophing, subs. (thieves’).—Picking pockets.
1857. Dickens, The Detective Police, in ‘Reprinted Pieces,’ p. 240.
From the swell mob, we diverge to the kindred topics of cracksmen,
fences ... designing young people who go out gonophing, and other
‘schools.’
Gooby, subs. (common).—A simpleton; a blockhead. For synonyms, see
Buffle and Cabbage-head.
1892. Ally Sloper, 19 Mar., p. 90, c. 3. Why, you old gooby, Mister
Sloper will pay us twice as much for the ducks.
Good! subs. (printers’).—An abbreviation of ‘Good Night!’
Adj. (colloquial).—Responsible; solvent; principally now with ‘for’;
e.g., He is good for any amount. Also, expert.
1598. Shakspeare, Merchant of Venice, i., 3. Antonio is a good man:
my meaning in saying that he is a good man, is to have you
understand me that he is sufficient.
1824. Reynolds, Peter Corcoran, 91 Good with both hands and only
ten stone four.
Good goods, in. pl., subs. phr. (sporting).—Something worth trying for;
a success. In the superlative, ‘best’ goods.
1886. Sporting Times, 17 July, 1/4. He was a nice young man for a
small tea party, And rather good goods at a Sunday-school treat.
1892. Milliken, ’Arry Ballads, p. 39. There’s Warner in ‘Drink’;
now, that’s business, good goods and no error.
Bit (or Piece) of Goods, subs. phr. (common).—A woman. For synonyms,
see Petticoat.
Good old ... adj. phr. (popular).—A familiar address, derisive or
affectionate according to circumstances. See quots.
1891. Pall Mall Gaz., 16 Sept., p. 6, c. 1. It was Mephisto’s
greeting to Mary Anne—in Marguerite’s garden—‘Good old Mary
Anne!’!!!
Ibid. The famous medico craned his neck out of the window, and,
sniffing in the smoke, cried, good old London. This is a true
story.
Ibid., 17 Sept. Mr. Chirgwin ... rouses mirth by ... exclaiming
good old spot! as he discloses the large white ace of diamonds
painted over his right optic.
1892. Chevalier ‘The Little Nipper.’ ’E calls ’is mother ‘Sally,’
And ’is father ‘good old pally,’ And ’e only stands about so ’igh,
that’s all!
To feel good, verb. phr. (American).—To be jolly; comfortable; ‘in
form’; to be on perfect terms with oneself.
1887. Proctor [in Knowledge, 1 Dec., p. 29]. A friend of mine tells
me a proposition was once invitingly made to him which, to say the
least, involved no virtuous self-abnegation, and he was urged to
accept it by the plea that it would make him feel good.
1888. Texas Siftings, 15 Sept. The saloons are going Saturday
afternoon, and the men feel pretty good before they come abroad.
To be in one’s good books, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To be in favour; in
good opinion. Conversely, To be in one’s bad books = To be in
disfavour. See Book.
Good at it (or at the Game), adj. phr. (venery).—An expert bedfellow,
male or female.
To have a good swim.—See Swim.
For good (or For good and all), adv. phr. (colloquial).—Completely;
entirely; finally.
1673. Wycherley, Gent. Danc. Master, ii., in wks. (1713), 276. If I
went, I would go for good and all.
1693. Congreve, Old Batchelor, Act i., Sc. 3. Sharp. Faith, e’en
give her over for good and all: you can have no hopes of getting
her for a Mistress.
1875. Ouida, Signa, vol. II., ch. v., p. 66. So the child went up
to the hills with Bruno, and stayed there for good and all.
Good as Wheat.—See Wheat.
Good as ever pissed, phr. (venery).—A qualification of extreme
excellence.
1719. Durfey, Pills, etc., ii., 260. And she is as good for the
game as e’er pissed.
Good as a Play.—See Play.
Good as Gold, adv. phr. (colloquial).—Very good; usually of children.
As good as they make ’em.—See Make ’em.
Good-bye, John! phr. (American).—It’s no go; all’s U.P.
Good cess, subs. phr. (Irish).—Good luck. (Probably an abbreviation of
‘success.’) Bad Cess = the reverse.
1845. Buckstone, Green Bushes, i., 1. All. Bravo, Paddy! Good cess
to ye, Paddy! Hurrah!
Goodfellow (or Good Boy, or Good Man), subs. (old).—1. A roysterer; a
boon companion.
1570. Ascham, Scholemaster. Sir Roger had been a good fellow in his
youth.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Good Fellow, a Pot companion or
Friend of the Bottle.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. A word of various imports,
according to the place where it is spoken; in the city it means a
rich man; at Hockley in the Hole, or St. Giles’s, an expert boxer;
at a bagnio in Covent Garden, a vigorous fornicator; at an alehouse
or tavern, one who loves his pot or bottle: and sometimes, though
but rarely, a virtuous man.
1822. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel, ch. xvii. Rattling Reginald
Lowestoffe of the Temple—I know him; he is a good boy.